Dennis Schroder didn't just talk the talk in Game 5—he walked it, sprinted it, and drove it straight to the basket. At halftime, with the Cleveland Cavaliers trailing and searching for answers against the Toronto Raptors, Schroder took charge. He listed out everything the team needed to fix, starting with one simple goal: play Cavs basketball again.
"I felt like I had to say something to the group," Schroder said after the game. "So we can rise and play Cavs basketball."
And rise they did. Down by 12 early in the third quarter, Cleveland stormed back for a 125-120 victory in Game 5, taking a 3-2 series lead. Now, they have a chance to close things out back in Toronto on Friday. The turning point? A renewed commitment to controlling the paint.
After relying heavily on outside shooting in the first half, the Cavs shifted gears. They attacked the rim with a ferocity we hadn't seen all series, going 14-for-25 (56%) on shots in the paint in the second half. Meanwhile, their defense clamped down, holding Toronto to just 9-for-26 (34.6%) inside over the final two quarters.
Schroder was the catalyst. His lightning-quick first step and relentless drives changed the entire complexion of the game. The Raptors had done an excellent job all series keeping Donovan Mitchell and James Harden in check—being physical off the ball, denying easy catches, and packing the lane with bodies. But that strategy creates a golden opportunity for someone else to beat you off the dribble.
Enter Schroder. On one key play, he faked a dribble-hand-off with Harden, freezing Raptors center Jakob Poeltl for a split second. That hesitation was all Schroder needed. He blew past his defender, and by the time the help defense arrived, it was too late. The basket was wide open.
He found similar success using Harden as a screener. The pick froze Scottie Barnes just long enough for Schroder to slip into the lane and create chaos. It's the kind of playmaking that reminds you why Schroder has always been at his best when he's empowered as a primary ball handler.
"We're trying to get to that next level," Schroder said, summing up the team's mindset. For Cavs fans, watching this team find new ways to win—and new leaders step up—is exactly what championship aspirations look like. Game 6 awaits.